What visa options are available for moving to Thailand as the spouse of a Thai citizen?

Thai Visa Non-O Visa Marriage Visa Immigration Expat Life in Thailand Phuket Visa Extensions Dual Citizenship

Feb 24, 2024

9 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

My wife is a Thai citizen and we have 1 child. We currently live in the US and she just recieved her US citizenship. Does any of that help me with the a visa(Not sure which type I should apply for) since we plan to move to Phuket this Summer? Most are saying to just leave every 3 months for a day but I see that getting old extremely fast lol

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is an expat planning to move to Thailand with their Thai spouse and US citizen child and inquired about visa options. Comments suggest applying for a Non-O visa based on marriage, with financial requirements including a bank deposit of 400,000 baht for the first year or monthly income proof for future extensions. There are also mentions of the potential Elite visa for those planning a long-term stay. Users discussed the practicality of meeting visa conditions and shared personal experiences regarding immigration processes.

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Ellie *******

I believe OP already got the answer for his post and some ideas. Thank you all.

9 months ago

Wayne ********

I don't use my dual wife at all for visa except to talk with immigration at times. Sure they know over a decade I can easily do marriage, but lots more hassle for them, as retired is all local. So just keep the 800k in bank. I did my non o retirement in USA, so no issues 11 months, other than just doing paperwork for extensions annually. More hassle getting new passport, due again. I always obtain reentry permit locally if leaving nation, so usually cheat and use Thai entry line with her. Never been a problem, as I'm in computer with visa already. Come home go say hello and get new tm30 and 90 day paper as need to go store anyway. I try yo use the kiss system

9 months ago

Sean **********

Bruce, I did not see mentioned previously that the 400 K baht requirement is the only option the first year. Subsequent years it is possible they qualify based on fixed monthly income amount. I believe for marriage visa extension, it’s ฿40,000 per month. You can find this information on the Thai visa website.

9 months ago

Ellie *******

@Sean *********

, not all immigration offices would accept just monthly international transfers as proof of funds. Some don't at all, some accept with proof of the source of funds, etc. You need to check with your local immigration office for a monthly income method for an extension based on marriage to a Thai.

If you are working inside Thailand legally, you can use the salary to meet financial requirements.

9 months ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Gabrio **********************

You can get a marriage visa or an elite visa if you have the money for it and planning to move to Thailand for at least 5 years.

9 months ago

Tod *********

Please know I meant no disrespect toward the O/P or any poster on the group or in this thread with my answers.

I freely admit I am curt, abrupt, terse, acerbic and to the point (and those are my good attributes 😛 ), and I'm not trying to be your friend for the advice I give.d I'm not trying to be your friend for the advice I give.

I have a very limited skill-set in the glorious "Land 'O Thaiz" and that is I am a subject matter expert on entry/visa/extensions to thailand.

I apologize for being me.. 🙂

9 months ago

Tod *********

You could get a visa based on marriage to a thai

You would bank 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only. That way you could apply in country for a 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage for 2000baht,

Then after you got that visa and have 30 days or less left on it you'd apply for a year extension based on marriage for 1900baht.

9 months ago

Mike ********

@Tod ********

is the Thai wife visa something one needs 400k in the bank each year at renewal of the Thai wife visa?

9 months ago

David ******

@Mike *******

Tod would know this, but after you get the first 1 year extension based off of marriage (with 400k baht banked)... if you can show that you had an INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER of equal to or greater than

*****

baht from abroad into A THAI BANK every month for the previous 12 months, then you don't have to have the 400k banked for the SECOND (and further) 12 month extension. Is this correct

@Tod ********

9 months ago

Ellie *******

@David *****

, not really. First, You MUST have a monthly income of no less than 40,000 baht. Second, not all immigration offices would accept just monthly international transfers as proof of funds (some don't at all, some accept with proof of the source of funds, etc). You need to check with your local immigration office for a monthly income method for an extension based on marriage to a Thai.

9 months ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

@Mike *******

, you may be referring 1-year extension (apply for at the local immigration office) based on a marriage to a Thai female. Tod is mentioning a multiple entry Non-O visa for the same reason that you have to apply at the Thai embassy/consulate outside Thailand. Those are different.

You need funds in your Thai bank account to apply for a 1-year extension based on marriage at the local immigration office.

Funds requirements vary by embassy or consulate for a multiple entry Non-O visa.

9 months ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Bruce ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

are there any other options that don't include the 400K? Lol. But I really appreciate your reply 🙏🏾

9 months ago

Tod *********

@Bruce *******

there are not, 🙂 (or there might be but I'm not gonna list every permutation for you) 😮

You said you're moving here, you said you're married to a thai and you asked for options.

Just so you know, we usually don't let posts on the group which we term "visa fishing" <- asking what visa will work 😕 I let this on because you were asking about a visa based on marriage.

You might look into getting a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa, which would give you 60 day entry stamps for the 6 months the visa is valid for. You'd have to bounce out and back every 60 days to get a new 60 day entry stamp.. BUT you can get almost 9 months of stay out of it. That'd let you look for other long term visa options.

9 months ago

Bruce ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

understood and certainly wasn't fishing. I'm just clueless as to which one is best for my situation. Nevertheless, I certainly appreciate the advice 🙏🏾

9 months ago

Reply to

Bruce ********

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What is the best visa option for moving to Thailand as a spouse of a Thai citizen?

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